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FYI
05-28-2001

ROTAX ADDED TO ROCK ISLAND G.P.

Rock Island, Illinois – Rotax Max drivers can join the fun at this years Rock Island Grand Prix, the largest karting street race in North America. As usual, the race will be held on the U.S. Labor Day Weekend, September 1-2, 2001.

Superkarts! USA’s “King of the Streets”, the second stop in the Triple Crown of gearbox kart racing, will also return to the Grand Prix this year. Alan Rudolph of Mesa, Arizona was crowned King at last years Rock Island Grand Prix. The GP has drawn top drivers from coast to coast as well as Canada, Bermuda, Mexico and Italy. Spectator admission is free and the race has drawn as many as 50,000 spectators.

This year, the Rock Island Grand Prix will host the Omega Max Street Challenge. This is one of the few professional races for Rotax Max drivers with a purse paying $1,250 to win with check through sixth place. This race will be run under national U.S. Rotax Max Challenge rules. A limited number of “arrive and drive” karts will be provided by Omega Karts USA. For more info, call 330-940-2745.

Ameritech returns as a Presenting Sponsor of the 2001 Grand Prix. Jumer’s Casino Rock Island is sponsor of the $25,000 purse – one of the largest payouts in professional karting. This includes a $2,000 first prize for the “King of the Streets”, which is sponsored by Bob Bondurant Super Kart School of Phoenix, Arizona. The Four Points Hotel by Sheraton in Rock Island will be race headquarters. Joining as a race sponsor and host of Hospitality Park is Iowa Wireless.

Tom Argy Jr. of TCM Racing, Niagara Falls, New York will return as race director. Electronic timing and scoring will be provided by Superkarts! USA with starting positions assigned based on qualifying times during practice.

For more information log on to: www.qconline.com/gpkart or call 309-292-8133.

“FIT TO BE KART CHAMPIONS”

Shropshire, Great Britain – Motor Sports Association (MSA) and the Association of Racing Kart Schools (ARKS), in conjunction with the Sports Injury and Human Performance Centre at the National Sports Centre at Lilleshall in Shropshire, are pleased to announce the “Fit to be Kart Champion” program to develop the careers of aspiring young kart drivers.

Aimed at 14 to 17 year olds, the “Fit to be Kart Champion” program commences with the first assessment at Lilleshall in August. It has been developed to combine elements of sports fitness and training, diet, nutrition, sports science, mental focus and preparation for competition. Recognizing the special role which parents and guardians play in karting, the course includes a separate short session for the parents or guardians of successful finalists, led by an experienced sports psychologist.

Allan Dean-Lewis, MSA Training & Development Executive commented, “The range of applications received reflected well on the committed approach already shown by these young kart racers, who aspire to become national and international champions, and the selection panel study each application in considerable detail before coming to the final decision.

FORD KARTSTARS OPENING ROUND

Coffs Harbour, Australia – The opening round of the 2001 Ford KartStars series kicks off this weekend at the challenging Raleigh Raceway circuit at Coff Harbour. As the first of five rounds, drivers will accumulate points throughout the series to ultimately claim one of two funded Formula Ford drives for nest year and a possible motor racing career with Ford.

An exceptional high quality field of 15 drivers will face the starter in the one-make Rotax Max powered class. The Junior Blitz support classes will also be worth watching with races for Junior Clubman, Junior National, Midgets and Rookies.

Ford V8 Supercar drivers David Besnard (himself a former International CIK karter) and Paul Weel will be attending the meeting to give drivers in all classes a helping hand and offer some words of advice.

Notable conclusions to this year’s Series include multiple Australian Champion Brendan May, former Oceania Champion Chris Cox, Matthew Wall and Ford-supported entrant in the Victorian Formula Ford Championship Mark Winterbottom – all top CIK competitors in the Australian Formula A Championships.

THE FASTEST GIRL AT LIME ROCK

Lime Rock, Connecticut – Former kart racer and Lynx Racing driver Sara Senske Saturday scored the best finish of her Barber Dodge Pro Series career with a 6th place in the rain at the 1.54 circuit at Lime Rock Park. She also won the Conseco “Step Up” award for her march up through the field from her 14th place qualifying spot. The race, won by Ryan Hunter-Reay, was run in a steady, heavy rainfall. Matt plumb took second place honors ahead of third place finisher Roger Yasakawa.

“It was a great race, not just because of the result, but because of what I learned about racing in these kind of conditions,” say Senske, 21, of Kennewick, Washington. “I got a little over eager in the opening laps and went off the road, but I got back on, drove as smoothly as I could and just picked off one car at a time. No telling what the weather will be for the second race of the weekend on Monday (Memorial Day), but with this kind of psychological boost, I’m ready to go racing!”

Round 4 of the Barber Dodge Pro Series is slated for 11:00 AM EST on Monday, May 28th. ESPN2 will broadcast Round 2 on June 26 at 6:00 PM EST.

MILLER CAPTURES BLACKHAWK FARMS BATTLE

South Beloit, Illinois – Round two of the MG Tire Championship Endure Series at Blackhawk Farms Raceway, found another furious battle for the top spot on the podium waged between seven top long-track shifter drivers. Marc Miller took the win making a pass on the final turn of the race as the rest of the field spread five wide in an attempt to catch Miller.

The entire field ran nose to tail with barely a second separating first from seventh place for the entire twenty-five minute race. Many of the pit lane observers called the event, “the best shifter race they have ever seen!” Lead changes came early and often with Miller, Ted Tackett, Tim Koutny, Lance Lane, Chris Wright, Patrick Burke, and Erik Winberg, all spending time in the lead.

After the race, Miller said the race played into his hands turning into a race of strategy. “It was like a chess match at 100 MPH,” Miller said. “The first 15 minutes of the race, everyone was working to see who they could pair-off with and get the best draft. Then we worked to position ourselves to be in the right place on the last lap.”

As the field thundered to the white flag, Erik Winberg led the train with Miller right behind. Going into the final turn, Ted Tacket went to the inside trying to out-brake Miller and Winberg. As Tackett slid onto the grass, Miller dove inside passing Winberg. “I knew at this point the drag race was on,” added Miller. I tucked (in) my head and started grabbing gears until I crossed the line.”

The SSC Pro drivers battled the challenging track conditions all weekend trying to find the right set-up for the very bumpy Blackhawk surface. As drivers came off the track, they surveyed the damage wrought by the track. Tackett had a severely damaged rear brake rotor, his second of the weekend, and Miller discovered a slightly bent axle.

The post-race celebration found Miller joined on the podium by Chris Wright (2nd) and Patrick Burke (3rd).

The win puts Miller into second place behind round one winner, Tim Koutny, as the series heads into the next race at the challenging Grattan Raceway in Grattan, Michigan on June 1-3.

Other Series News:
In other MG Tires Championship Enduro Series related news, Terry Riggins, SKUSA Great Lakes Regional Director and long-time karting official, joined the SSC Pro Shifter Series to assist with organization and administration throughout the season.

END

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